Hedge Trimming Prices: Is It Better to DIY or Hire a Pro?

Hiring a professional to trim your hedges can provide beautiful, crisp results, but it often comes at a steep price. With the average cost of hedge trimming services ranging from $35 to over $100 per hour, many homeowners wonder if DIY hedge trimming is the more budget-friendly option. This article will examine hedge trimming prices, weigh the pros and cons of DIY versus hiring a pro, and provide tips to help you decide what’s best for your landscape needs and budget.

Hedge Trimming Prices: How Much Do Pros Charge?

When considering your landscaping budget, one of the first things to look at is hedge trimming prices if you have hedges that require frequent care. Hiring a professional for hedge trimming services typically costs between $35 to $100 per hour, with most falling in the $50 to $70 per hour range. However, prices can vary widely depending on your location, the company, the size of your hedge trimming job, and any additional service needs.

Here are some average price ranges you can expect to pay:

• Basic hedge trimming: $35 – $50 per hour
• Intermediate hedge trimming: $50 – $70 per hour
• Large hedge trimming: $70 – $100+ per hour
• Additional services like hauling away debris: $10 – $30 per hour

Trimming tall, unruly hedges or those requiring special equipment tends to fall on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. You may also incur minimum service fees, usually $50 – $100, regardless of the actual time spent on smaller jobs.

When calculating the overall cost, the size and condition of your hedges will be a major factor. A quicker trim on a small, regularly maintained hedge will be far less expensive than tackling overgrown bushes that require extensive shaping and cutting. Always get an estimate beforehand so you can budget accordingly.

Key Factors That Impact Hedge Trimming Prices

When reaching out for quotes on hedge trimming prices, ask providers what specific factors impact their rates so you can better compare services. Key pricing considerations typically include:

Size of hedges: Larger hedges equal more work and higher cost. Pricing is often based on linear footage.

Type and condition: Neat boxwoods versus overgrown, thick hedges with many branches. Neglected hedges add time and effort.

Accessibility: Easy to access versus hard to reach hedges on steep slopes or requiring ladders.

Debris removal: Some pros charge extra for debris haul away and disposal services.

Frequency: Regular maintenance is cheaper than infrequent trimming of overgrown hedges.

Equipment needed: Hand shears versus power tools like hedge trimmers and chainsaws.

Minimum fees: Some pros charge minimum 1 hour service fees.

Travel fees: Added fees for companies traveling long distances to your home.

Additional services: Plant health care, fertilization, or pest treatments may cost extra.

Keep these factors in mind when evaluating hedge trimming prices and service quotes. A company advertising a very low hourly rate may tack on lots of additional fees that drive up the total cost significantly.

DIY Hedge Trimming Prices: What’s the Cost?

Trimming your own hedges can seem like an easy way to save money, but how much does DIY hedge trimming really cost? There’s some initial investment required if you want to do it right. Here are the main expenses to factor in:

Hedge trimming tools: Quality gas or electric hedge trimmers range from $100 to $300. Hand shears and loppers cost $25 to $100.

Safety gear: Gloves, eye protection, ear and head protection add $50 to $150.

Ladders or other equipment: For tall hedges, ladders ($150+), scaffolding, or lifts must be purchased or rented.

Debris disposal: You’ll need a way to haul and dump hedge trimmings, or pay for bagged pickup.

Learning curve: Expect some cosmetic mistakes at first as you learn proper technique.

Time and labor: DIY trimming takes significantly longer. Estimate a full day for larger hedges.

Ongoing costs: Tools must be maintained, repaired, replaced over time. Gas and oil for power tools.

As you can see, there are significant startup costs if you want to DIY hedge trimming and don’t have the proper equipment already. There’s also a substantial time commitment needed to maintain hedges yourself.

However, if you invest in quality tools and learn proper techniques, you can save money long-term by trimming your own hedges. Just be sure to factor in all costs accurately when comparing DIY to professional pricing.

Hiring a Pro: When Does it Make Sense?

Hiring professional hedge trimming services can be worth the price in many situations. Here are some of the top reasons to consider outsourcing your hedge maintenance:

You lack the right tools or skills. Trimming hedges properly requires specialized tools and knowledge. Improper trimming can damage hedges.

Your hedges are large, overgrown, or hard to access. Professionals have the manpower and equipment to tackle big hedging jobs efficiently.

You want precision results. Experts provide artistic shaping, intricate patterns, and crisp lines that are hard to replicate DIY.

You need other services. Some companies offer fertilization, pest control, and other health care along with trimming.

You don’t have time. Professionals can trim your hedge in a fraction of the time it takes DIY.

You dislike the work. Hauling debris and operating noisy trimmers may not be how you want to spend your weekends.

Your yard is very visible. A meticulously trimmed hedge can boost your home’s curb appeal.

For large hedges that require frequent trimming, the convenience and quality results of hiring a pro often makes the expense worthwhile when you consider your time and effort.

Tips to Save on Professional Hedge Trimming

If hiring help is the best option but you still want to control costs, here are some tips to save:

• Get quotes from 3-5 contractors and compare.
• Ask about discount for first-time or bundled service.
• Schedule off-season trimming when demand is lower.
• See if a neighbor wants to share the minimum service fee.
• Request student rates if a horticulture school is nearby.
• For quick maintenance trims, ask if hand shears will suffice.
• Evaluate if you can tackle the front/easy areas yourself and hire help for the back.
• Provide your own debris disposal like a pickup truck to haul away.
• Remove any irrigation lines, lights, or yard decor before they arrive.

With some strategic planning and research, you can still find affordable professionals for periodic hedge trimming, especially for hedges that are too large, complex, or time-consuming to tackle yourself.

Key Considerations: DIY vs Hiring a Pro for Hedge Trimming

Should you invest in DIY hedge trimming equipment and do it yourself, or pay for the convenience of hiring a professional? Here are the key factors to consider when deciding:

Cost

• DIY: Higher upfront cost for quality tools, but lower per trimming cost long-term.
• Hire a pro: Hourly rates mean each trimming costs money, but no equipment to purchase.

Quality

• DIY: Learning curve to achieve professional-looking results.
• Hire a pro: Experts provide precision trimming and shaping.

Time

• DIY: Trimming your own hedges is extremely time consuming.
• Hire a pro: Professionals can trim hedges in a fraction of the DIY time.

Convenience

• DIY: Have to store tools, haul away clippings, maintain equipment.
• Hire a pro: They provide everything needed and haul away debris.

Ongoing Maintenance

• DIY: Ability to trim hedges frequently for optimal health.
• Hire a pro: May lack flexibility for frequent trims.

Accessibility

• DIY: Can tackle the job in phases if needed.
• Hire a pro: May not have equipment to access hard to reach hedges.

For small, regular trimming of accessible hedges, DIY makes sense if you invest in quality tools. For large infrequent jobs or intricate trimming, hiring a pro often provides the best results and experience. Compare all costs and factors closely for your specific needs.

Tips for DIY Success with Hedge Trimming

If you decide to trim your own hedges, follow these tips to get quality results safely and efficiently:

• Purchase professional-grade gas or electric hedge trimmer.
• Wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, ear protection to stay safe. Look for anti-vibration gloves to reduce strain.
• Know when to trim your hedge type – trim most hedges in late summer/early fall. Only trim spring-blooming hedges right after flowering.
• Use loppers or hand shears for detail trimming and shaping after finishing the main trimming with hedge trimmers.
• Maintain sharp blade edges to ensure clean cuts that heal quickly.
• Cut back up to 1/3 of new growth to contain size, but avoid drastic reductions that thin out hedges.
• Angle hedge trimmer blades slightly outward to create a tapered triangular side shape for fuller interior foliage growth.
• Use a string as a guide for straightedges. Cut sides first, then the top.
• For boxwoods, cut inward-facing branches and growth to open up the center.
• Remove clippings immediately to avoid disease transmission. Compost or dispose properly.
• Examine hedges when trimming and remove any dead or damaged branches.
• Fertilize and prune hedges regularly for optimal health to maintain desired shape and fullness.
• Be patient and allow mistakes to fill back in over time. Practice makes perfect!